Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

In the Friday night hymn, L'cha Dodi, the first stanza begins with the words, "Shamor V'Zachor B'Dibur Echad - Safeguard and Remember (the Sabbath) were uttered (by God) in one utterance."

The poet of the hymn, Shlomo Ha'Levi Alkebitz, lived in the Kabbalistic city of Tzfat and authored the poem in the 16th century. He reminds us that the Ten Commandments appear twice in the Torah, in the book of Exodus and in the book of Deuteronomy. Since every word of Torah is infused with divine inspiration or revelation, both sets of the Ten Commandments reflect the will of God. Yet, the two texts are not identical. the most glaring distinction appears in the description of Shabbat. In the Exodus narrative, "Remember the Sabbath" is reinforced by the Creation story, wherein God rests on Shabbat. The Genesis theme is universal in nature.  In the Deuteronomy narrative (in this week's Parsha of Va'etchanan), "Safeguard the Sabbath" is reinforced by our people's slavery in Egypt, a particularistic theme unique to the historical experience of the Jewish people.

While Moses himself frames the entire book of Deuteronomy from his perspective, the verse in L'Cha Dodi teaches us a profound lesson. Shabbat must be "remembered" by such acts as lighting candles and reciting Kiddush. Shabbat must be "safeguarded" by refraining from prescribed prohibited activities.

In the Shabbat evening Kiddush, we reflect on Shabbat being a gift to the whole world when we recite, "Zecher L'Ma'aseh V'Reishit - A remembrance of the act of Creation." We also reflect on Shabbat being a particular gift to the Jewish people when we recite, "Zecher L'Yetziat Mitzrayim - A remembrance of the Exodus from Egypt."

As we look forward to Shabbat each and every week, may we ponder the meanings of "Safeguard and Remember" as well as their particular and universal meanings.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Howard Morrison